Paul Stollard and John Abrahams
E & FN Spon
£19.99
Date published: 1999 Content: 174 pages Tel: +44 (0)1264-343 071 Fax: +44 (0)1264-343 005
Fire safety is an issue that every security manager should keep near the top of their agenda. Both in the likelihood of it happening and the possibly devastating ramifications, there are few hazards as great as fire. Our understanding of fire safety issues is critical.
Although Fire from First Principles has been written with the building designer or architect, rather than the security manager, in mind, it is nonetheless packed with useful information.
It is not an overly lengthy volume or one swamped with unnecessary detail. It is a concise and well-presented work which most security or facility managers could profit from.
The books content is based around the five ‘tactics of fire safety’:
Prevention – controlling ignition and fuel sources
Communication – systems for alerting occupants
Escape – procedures for evacuating occupants to safety
Containment – minimising damage to adjacent areas
Extinguishment - extinguishing the fire quickly and safely to minimise damage and loss.
A further chapter includes the assessment of adequate fire safety measures, and the final chapter covers sources of guidance and relevant British legislation.
Fire legislation, the book explains, is written for the enforcement authorities, not for architects to use as the basis of their safety design. Consequently, the book concentrates on the “first principles of fire safety”, which in essence means that fire safety is considered throughout the design process rather than being ‘bolted on’ later. For the security manager, it means this book succeeds where others, such as The Guide to the Fire Precautions Act 1971 fail, by having very little legalistic jargon.
Reading Fire from First Principles barely requires effort, it is so well written. Your knowledge of fire safety management will improve and you will gain a new insight into the fire safety design of buildings old and new.
Source
SMT
